Vehicle switch system for connecting mobile device to vehicle and method of using the same

Abstract

A vehicle switch system for a mobile device that helps connect the mobile device to a vehicle so that certain features of the mobile device, like those pertaining to navigation and entertainment, can be easily accessed through the vehicle. The vehicle switch system is particularly well suited for use with vehicles that lack in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems, as users of such vehicles oftentimes cannot access the features of their mobile devices through their vehicle. The vehicle switch system may include a vehicle switch with a switch component and a switch indicator and a docking station, where a “short press” of the switch component enables the docking station to charge the mobile device and a “long press” of the switch component initiates a process to wirelessly connect the mobile device to the vehicle electronics system. The switch indicator displays a connection status of the mobile device.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A vehicle switch system for connecting a mobile device to a vehicle electronics system, comprising:
 a vehicle switch including a switch housing, a switch component, a switch indicator, and a plurality of switch connections; 
 the switch housing includes an outer switch housing piece that at least partially surrounds the switch component and the switch indicator; 
 the switch component is a switching device; 
 the switch indicator is a visual indicating device and includes an illuminated piece, the illuminated piece is configured to indicate the connectivity status of the mobile device and/or the vehicle electronics system; and 
 the plurality of switch connections includes a first switch connection that is configured for direct or indirect connection to at least one of a vehicle power supply or a docking station, and a second switch connection that is configured for direct or indirect connection to the vehicle electronics system; and 
 wherein the vehicle switch system is configured to facilitate connecting the mobile device to the vehicle electronics system so that one or more feature(s) and/or function(s) of the mobile device can be accessed and utilized through the vehicle electronics system, wherein the vehicle switch is adapted so that a first actuation of the switch component enables the first switch connection but not the second switch connection, and a second actuation of the switch component, that is different than the first actuation, enables the second switch connection for connection to the vehicle electronics system, wherein the first actuation of the switch component configures the switch component to allow power to flow from the vehicle power supply to the mobile device. 
 
     
     
       2. The vehicle switch system of  claim 1 , wherein the first actuation and the second actuation both involve movement of the switch component from a first position to a second position, and the first actuation is one of: a) a shorter duration of actuation of the switch component to the second position than the second actuation; or b) a different number of actuations of the switch component to the second position than the second actuation. 
     
     
       3. The vehicle switch system of  claim 1 , wherein the switch component is an electro-mechanical switching device and includes an on/off power button that is provided in the form of a momentary, normally open, push-button switch. 
     
     
       4. The vehicle switch system of  claim 1 , wherein the switch component includes an actuator piece that is configured for engagement by a user, the actuator piece includes a front face with indicia that indicates its functionality. 
     
     
       5. The vehicle switch system of  claim 1 , wherein the switch indicator includes a non-illuminated piece and the illuminated piece, the non-illuminated piece has a cutout that is sized to accommodate the illuminated piece, the illuminated piece has a light emitting diode (LED) that is configured to change its illumination color and/or pattern in order to indicate the connectivity status of the mobile device and/or the vehicle electronics system. 
     
     
       6. The vehicle switch system of  claim 1 , wherein the switch component has a semi-circular shape with one portion of its periphery being arcuate and another portion of its periphery being flat or linear, the switch indicator also has a semi-circular shape with one portion of its periphery being arcuate and another portion of its periphery being flat or linear, and the semi-circular shapes of the switch component and switch indicator are complimentary such that a combined shape of the switch component and the switch indicator forms a full circular shape. 
     
     
       7. The vehicle switch system of  claim 1 , wherein the first switch connection is configured for direct or indirect connection to at least one of the vehicle power supply or the docking station so that, when the switch component is engaged by a user, power is provided from the vehicle power supply to the docking station in order to charge the mobile device. 
     
     
       8. The vehicle switch system of  claim 1 , wherein the second switch connection is configured for direct or indirect connection to the vehicle electronics system via a vehicle communications network so that, when the switch component is engaged by a user, system signals are provided from the vehicle switch to the vehicle electronics system in order to facilitate a wireless connection between the mobile device and the vehicle electronics system. 
     
     
       9. The vehicle switch system of  claim 1 , further comprising a docking station including a station frame, one or more station retaining piece(s), and a station charging feature, wherein the station retaining feature(s) are configured to retain or hold the mobile device in place and the station charging feature is configured to charge the mobile device. 
     
     
       10. The vehicle switch system of  claim 9 , wherein the docking station is directly or indirectly connected to the first switch connection of the vehicle switch, and the docking station is configured to charge the mobile device with power from the vehicle power supply in response to either the first actuation or the second actuation of the switch component by a user. 
     
     
       11. The vehicle switch system of  claim 9 , wherein the vehicle switch and the docking station are connected to one another and are mounted to a dashboard within a vehicle interior. 
     
     
       12. The vehicle switch system of  claim 1 , further comprising switch circuitry that includes an electronic control unit that is connected to the switch component for determining actuation of the switch component according to the first actuation and the second actuation, to the switch indicator for sending indicator command signals, and to the vehicle electronics system for sending and/or receiving system signals. 
     
     
       13. A vehicle switch system for connecting a mobile device to a vehicle electronics system, comprising:
 a vehicle switch including a switch housing, a switch component, a switch indicator, and a plurality of switch connections; and 
 switch circuitry that includes an electronic control unit that is connected to the switch component for receiving user selection signals, to the switch indicator for sending indicator command signals, and to the vehicle electronics system for sending and/or receiving system signals;
 the switch housing includes an outer switch housing piece that at least partially surrounds the switch component and the switch indicator; 
 the switch component is a switching device; 
 the switch indicator is a visual indicating device and includes an illuminated piece, the illuminated piece is configured to indicate the connectivity status of the mobile device and/or the vehicle electronics system; and 
 the plurality of switch connections includes a first switch connection that is configured for direct or indirect connection to at least one of a vehicle power supply or a docking station, and a second switch connection that is configured for direct or indirect connection to the vehicle electronics system; 
 wherein the vehicle switch system is configured to facilitate connecting the mobile device to the vehicle electronics system so that one or more feature(s) and/or function(s) of the mobile device can be accessed and utilized through the vehicle electronics system, and wherein the switch circuitry further includes a computer-readable storage medium that comprises instructions that, when executed by the electronic control unit, cause the electronic control unit to:
 determine a user selection of the switch component based on a duration or amount of time with which the user engages the switch component; and 
 when a short press is determined, enable a docking station to charge the mobile device and display a first color and/or pattern with the switch indicator to indicate that the mobile device is not connected to the vehicle electronics system; and 
 when a long press is determined, enable a docking station to charge the mobile device, initiate a process to connect the mobile device to the vehicle electronics system, and display a second color and/or pattern with the switch indicator to indicate that the mobile device is connected to the vehicle electronics system or is in the process of being connected to the vehicle electronics system. 
 
 
 
     
     
       14. The vehicle switch system of  claim 13 , when the short press is determined and the mobile device is already connected to the vehicle electronics system, then the electronic control unit initiates a process to disconnect the mobile device from the vehicle electronics system. 
     
     
       15. The vehicle switch system of  claim 13 , when the long press is determined, then the electronic control unit initiates either an automatic connection process or a manual connection process, the automatic connection process is initiated when the mobile device has previously been paired with the vehicle electronics system, whereas the manual connection process is initiated when the mobile device has not previously been paired with the vehicle electronics system. 
     
     
       16. The vehicle switch system of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle switch system is configured to facilitate connecting the mobile device to the vehicle electronics system without the use of an in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) system so that one or more features and/or functions of the mobile device can be accessed and utilized through the vehicle electronics system, without the need for an IVI system. 
     
     
       17. The vehicle switch system of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle switch system is configured to receive a plurality of different user selections with the use of a single switch component and actuator piece of a push button switch that has a first position and a second position, wherein one user selection is associated with the first actuation of the actuator piece from the first position to the second position, and another user selection is associated with the second actuation of the actuator piece from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
       18. A method of using a vehicle switch system that includes a vehicle switch having a switch component and a switch indicator, the switch component is a switching device and includes an actuator piece configured for engagement by a user, the switch indicator is a visual indicating device and includes an illuminated piece configured to indicate the connectivity status of a mobile device and/or a vehicle electronics system, the method comprising the steps of:
 detecting when a user engages the switch component; 
 determining a user selection based on a duration or amount of time with which the user engages the switch component; 
 when a short press is determined, enabling a docking station to charge the mobile device and displaying a first color and/or pattern with the switch indicator to indicate that the mobile device is not connected to the vehicle electronics system; and 
 when a long press is determined, enabling a docking station to charge the mobile device, initiating a process to connect the mobile device to the vehicle electronics system, and displaying a second color and/or pattern with the switch indicator to indicate that the mobile device is connected to the vehicle electronics system or is in the process of being connected to the vehicle electronics system.